MLR Season Preview – Seattle Seawolves

So what’s a ‘seawolf’ anyway? That’s the most common question asked about the Seattle Seawolves, the only team holding down the North West in Major League Rugby. For the record, it’s another name for an orca, those happy little whales who frequent the West Coast waters.

The Seawolves are a bit mysterious at the moment as their only preseason action was a closed scrimmage against the Prairie Wolf Pack last weekend. Another match scheduled against the Vancouver Island Crimson Tide was scuttled do to visa issues, and in fact would-be coach Tony Healy and second row recruit Connor Weyell, both Canadian, have had to return north having been unable to secure work visas south of the border. Lessons are being learned.

In the meantime dual-citizen Curry Hitchborn, who resides in Vancouver, has put together an eclectic band of rugby stars to seek out and destroy MLR opposition. The close proximity to BC has seen seven Canadian players dip under the 49th with a strong supporting cast from the Seattle Saracens who play in the CDI Premier League.

STRENGTHS

Every team needs a good scrum and the center-piece of Seattle’s mission is a truly fearsome group of tight forwards. Three-deep at every front row position, the set piece will be a major source of strength for the team and clean first phase possession is all any coach can ask for.

The forward pack in general is designed to do damage. ‘Together We Hunt’ is the team’s catch phrase, and the meat-eaters they have collected are not the subtle types. 50-cap Canadian hooker Ray Barkwill is the spearhead with the likes of Eric Duechle, Riekert Hattingh, and Belgian battle wagon Jérémy Lenaerts all disciples of the collision.

Experience at halfback is also invaluable for any new team and the Seawolves are as good as any there. Phil Mack and Shalom Suniula have reached the highest levels of the game in both 7s and 15s and Australian flyhalf Peter Smith has played professionally in Japan. The newest arrival is another dual-international in Will Holder who arrived during the week to add another strong option at flyhalf.

QUESTIONS

By far the biggest question is how the team will deal with their off-field disruptions. Not having a coach currently in place is a real worry and there has to be questions about their lack of preparations. There’s no way to know if that will hamper their early-season performance until we see them take the pitch on Sunday against the San Diego Legion.

Seattle’s pack while stacked with muscle is perhaps a little on the short side with no forwards over 6’5” (1.96m). They may have problems in the lineout against the likes of Austin or Houston who hold a significant height advantage. The Seawolves will rely on accuracy on the throw-in.

With Weyell denied and Garrett Bender’s unexpected departure for Minneapolis the team has been left a couple bodies short in second and back row cover. There are emergency options available with the Saracens but a couple reinforcements wouldn’t hurt.

HOME FIELD

What Seattle definitely have in their favor is a quality home pitch in Starfire Stadium. In rugby configuration it holds just 3,000 but they have already sold out of season tickets and their opening game is completely sold out. With brand new turf on the field and such strong support this will be a tough place to go and find a win.

HEAD COACH

One of the most celebrated Canadian players of all time, Phil Mack was already tabbed to be a player-coach but will now take the lead role until a suitable replacement for Tony Healy is found. Mack is already an experienced coach with the BC Bears in the Canadian Rugby Champoinship among other sides and should have a strong future in that role when his playing days come to a close. As a competitor there are few who could be considered his equal.

CAPTAIN

Mack’s on-field presence means that decisions will not be made unilaterally but South African No8 Riekert Hattingh will have the responsibility of conversing with the referee. After a brief spell with the Austin Blacks, Hattingh made the permanent move stateside two years ago just when it looked like he would break into the Currie Cup with the Blue Bulls. A standout season with the Ohio Aviators and time spent with the Tiger Academy have now led him to Seattle. Rangy and powerful, the 24-year-old has his sights set on an Eagles jersey when he qualifies in June of next year.

KEY PLAYERS

Australians aren’t typically renowned for their love of the scrum but Tim Metcher is one of the new generation breaking the mold. A series of injuries severely disrupted his Super Rugby career so he opted for a change of scenery in Canada and a few months later he is now in Seattle, set to prove his class in the newest American competition. Equally effective in the tight and the loose, at 26 years old he still has his best years ahead of him.

Another import gunning for an Eagles shirt, Jérémy Lenaerts hails from Belgium but will reach the three-year USA residency mark in September. His rugby journey includes spells in the academy systems of both Narbonne and Toulon before earning a scholarship to Central Washington. High quality second rows are a precious commodity in American rugby and Lenaerts should prove a pillar of strength in the Seattle pack.

The youngest of three brothers who have represented the USA, Shalom Suniula has played in the World Cups of both 7s and 15s. He has the skill and versatility to play virtually any position in the backline with a high degree of competence. Suniula has been capped at scrumhalf, flyhalf, and even in the midfield for the Eagles. Whever he lines up for the Seawolves he is sure to be circled by opposing coaches as a player who can make things happen.

ONE TO WATCH

Added just a few days ago, Jeremy Misailegalu is a relative unknown to most but it’s safe to say that is set to change. Known as ‘The Missile’, the 24-year-old winger is an explosive athlete with a distinct combination of pace and power that makes him very difficult to tackle in one-on-one situations. His high-impact attack is already highly regarded on the domestic sevens scene and he attended Eagles trials last year. Now the Missile is ready to launch on Major League Rugby.

OUTLOOK

It’s not easy to appraise a team that only a select few have actually seen play, but with the talent at their disposal it would be naive to dismiss their chances at a Semi Final spot. Their scrum will cause problems for most and with x-factor players all through the backline it’s a team built to play expansive rugby. On the balance Seattle falls into the middle category of teams that will be competitive in each match and have every chance of being one of the final four come the end of June.

A detailed roster and fixture list can be seen here.